Princesses don't wear glasses

by Jacqueline Waterhouse

illustrations by Gabi Carr

age range: 4 to 7 years old
Waterhouse Books

Eight years old Charlie-Marie has to wear glasses, but she doesn't want to. She understands she will see better with her glasses, and that her eyes would only get worse if she doesn't use them, but she can't stop thinking nobody at school wears glasses. And even worst, princesses don't wear glasses!

Then Charlie-Marie is visited by Jamey, a little fairy from the Land of Beauty, and a fantastic trip begins. Jamey leads Charlie-Marie to the Land of Beauty so she can discover Princesses do wear glasses. She specially asks Charlie-Marie to wear her glasses during their trip, so she doesn't miss any of all the incredible things out there. At the end of this adventure, Charlie-Marie meets Princess Spectacle, the most beautiful princess, with the most beautiful sparkling dress, wearing the most beautiful pair of glasses.

This story won't work for every girl, since it is addressed to girls who are interested in princesses. But if the girl you are thinking in reading this loves princesses and would like to be like one, then she probably would feel bad about having to wear glasses, because it's true, princesses in movies don't wear glasses. I think Charlie-Marie's fantastic adventure would be helpful to ease the experience of starting wearing glasses.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

ETA: a new book in the series, this time addressed to superheroes' fans, it's being published soon: Superheroes don't wear glasses

Harry and Walter

by Kathy Stinson

illustrated by Qin Leng

Age range: 2 to 5 years old

This sweet book tells the story of Harry, four and three-quarters years old, and Walter, ninety-two and a half, who are neighbors and best friends despite the difference in their ages. They enjoy being together, playing, mowing the lawn, taking care of Walter's vegetable garden, raking leaves, making snowmen. But one day Harry has to move away from the neighborhood. Harry cried. "Things change", Walter explained. 

Harry felt so bored and lonely in the new house... But a surprise was waiting for him. Walter moves to the apartment building up the street. They are still the best of the friends. Some things don't change after all...

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The last great adventure of the PB & J society.

by Janet Sumner Johnson

age range: middle grade

Annie and Jason are best friends:

"He and I had been best friends, since birth (well, at least his birth - those two hours in the hospital nursery before Jason arrived were the loneliest two hours of my life)".

They are spies:

"For a lesser spy, the pressure might have been too much, but Jason and I had been working on our technique for three years now. Ever since he got that spy kit for his seventh birthday".

And they are the only two members of the PB & J Society, which serves the important mission of burying smashed PB & J sandwiches in a solemn ceremony:

"We are saddened by the loss of our favorite food and think on happier times before it was smushed and became gross. We are grateful for the many times it saved us from the evils of broccoli casserole and bid it farewell on its new journey to feed the worms. May it rest in peace".

But one day they found out Jason's family needs to sell their house and move to California due to foreclosure. Annie would do anything to keep her friend from moving away: sell her appendix on eBay, win the lottery, sell cookies, ask the bank for more time, beg in a street corner, get a job, and even find a pirate treasure!

I just loved this book. The characters are absolutely lovely, and the plot is funny at the same time it touches some hard topics. A beautiful story about friendship, persistence and the changes that are always waiting for us.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A tattle-tell tale. A story about getting help.

by Kathryn Cole

illustrated by Qin Leng

Age range: 6 to 10 years old.

Joseph had a terrible week at school. A seven grader has been bulling him every day at lunch time. He took Joseph's brownie on Monday, and his sandwich and cookies on Tuesday. He found Joseph hiding in the boy's restroom on Wednesday and took his lunch again. On Thursday Joseph ate his lunch in the schoolyard. He even tried to explain his problem to the yard-duty teacher, but it didn't work. She was too busy solving other problems there. His friends would like to help Joseph, but they are scared too.

Now he is standing at the principal's office door. He knows he must do something to stop being bullied, and Mr. Tate has told the students many times that they could come to him anytime. He finally knocks at the door and tells Mr. Tate the whole story. He is afraid of being in more trouble since he tattled, but Mr. Tate explains to him the difference between tattle and tell, and helps him to fix the situation.

Once again a difficult topic has an excellent approach in this series. The situation is clearly explained, specially how Joseph feels and how difficult could seem to ask for help, but how everything starts moving in the right direction once he shares his problems with someone who can help him. At the end of the book there's a guide for grown ups with tips on how to help kids feeling comfortable asking for help.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another great titles in this series: The uh-oh feeling. A story about touch and Sign up here. A story about friendship.

This book just ate my dog!

by Richard Byrne

Age range: up to 5 o 6 years old.

Bella was walking her dog across the pages of this book when suddenly the dog disappeared through the gutter where the pages join together. The book just ate Bella's dog! And it also ate Ben when he tried to help, and the dog rescue van, and the police car, and the fire truck. Also Bella was swallowed when she went check by herself what was going on.

Then, a note to the reader appears. In the note Bella asks the reader to turn the book around and shake it. And with a lot of shaking and some wiggle, everyone and everything appears again. Some evident sequela might be linked to the episode, though...

We had a great time reading this book (many times) last week. It's funny, interactive, and colorfully illustrated. A complete success. I'm really interested in try more Richard Byrne's books soon.

Warning: some times you can be just swallowed by a book!

The sandwich thief

by André Marois

illustrated by Patrick Doyon

Age range: middle grade

Funny story about Marin, a friendly boy who is decided to find the thief who has stolen his favorites sandwiches form his lunch box in the last few days. Everybody is a suspect: classmates, teachers, janitor, even the principal! A relatable character in a amusing story any middle grader would enjoy.

The illustrations are very creative and cartoon-like, in black, white, yellow and orange only.

Marin's mom sandwiches made me very hungry!

I received an uncorrected copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kittysaurus Rex

by Judge Kludge

Age range: middle grade.

Is there a greater dream for an aspiring paleontologist than find a new dinosaur?

Clara and Seke discover the fossils of an unknown dinosaur they called Kittisaurus Rex. But of course, nobody believes them, they are only 10 years old after all. The last chance they have to prove their theory is right seems to be to travel 145 millions of years ago and take a picture of Kittisaurus. But of course, dinosaurs' bones are safer than real, giant, fierce, alive ones!

Kittysaurus Rex is a funny story that counts with lots of action. Clara and Seke will have to not only face a real dinosaur, but also endure public disbelief, escape from an unscrupulous trillionaire, deal with ghosts, fight angry dogs, overcome a unconscionable brother, drive a travel machine/merry-go-round, and more.

The characters are adorable. You'll find names like Mr. Vulture, Dr. Hyberbole, Dr. Onomatopoeia, Mrs. Techty, and have an idea what to expect from them.

The end left me wanting to read more of this series. I'm glad to know Tri-pizza-tops, the second book in the series, is on its way!

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.